Mets Send Nimmo to Rangers for Semien

Here's an interesting deal. The New York Mets have traded longtime outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien. 

Nimmo, 32, has spent his entire professional career with the Mets who drafted him out of high school in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft as the 13th overall pick in the country. The Wyoming native made his MLB debut in 2016 but was plagued by injuries in the early part of his career. Between 2016 and 2021, Nimmo only appeared in more than 100 games once. Although during the COVID shortened 2020 season, he played in 55 of 60 games. 

However, since 2022, Nimmo has played 150 plus games for four straight seasons. In 2025, Nimmo blasted a career high 25 HR and 92 RBI. In 1066 career games with the Mets, Nimmo collected 974 hits for a lifetime batting average of .262 with 135 HR and 463 RBI. 

It is interesting that the Rangers were expected to cut back on salary this coming season. But Nimmo is owed in excess of $100 million through 2030. The Mets are to give the Rangers $5 million but this is a token amount. However, I suspect that Nimmo, who is known for his hustle, will be looked upon as a clubhouse leader for his younger teammates. 

Coming to the Mets is Semien who between 2019 and 2023 thrice finished third in AL MVP balloting for three different clubs - the Oakland A's, Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers during their World Series championship season in 2023. However, the 35-year-old Semien's offensive production has declined over the past two seasons. In 127 games played in 2025, Semien hit .230 with 15 HR and 62 RBI. A far cry from when he led the AL in hits in 2023 with 185. However, Semien did earn his second career Gold Glove at second base. During his early years with the Chicago White Sox and Oakland A's, Semien's defense was suspect.

Semien has three years left on his contract worth $72 million which the Mets will pay in full. It will be interesting to see if Semien hits behind Juan Soto in the Mets lineup. If he does, Semien will see better pitches and could return to form at the plate. 

While I am inclined to think the Rangers will get the better end of the deal in the long run, Semien could have a couple of productive seasons in Queens. If Semien's presence helps earn the Mets their first World Series title in four decades, then that would balance out the equation considerably. This trade will likely help both ballclubs.